Dutch festivals cancel performances by DJs accused of sexual misconduct, abuse
Several DJs at the absolute top of hard techno are being accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The Dutch festivals Verknipt in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam and Awakenings in Spaarnewoude have canceled performances by the DJs involved, AD reports. No Dutch DJs have been named.
The DJs involved are French legend Shlømo, Basswell, the American-French DJ Fantasm, Carv, and the Belgian DJ Odymel.
A whistleblower, an American former booker for the well-known agency Steer Management, shared screenshots of numerous chat conversations implicating the DJs in sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, soliciting children, misogyny, deceiving their families, and sending unsolicited dick pics to fans. The allegations have not been verified.
DJ Carv, known to perform in a mask, admitted to sending intimate images of himself to women despite being married, but denies committing any criminal offenses. Shlømo, who regularly performs for tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands, denies all allegations, saying he’s the target of a slander and misinformation campaign.
One of the most remarkable statements comes from DJ Odymel, who is accused of physical sexual abuse. The Belgian DJ claims he made unwanted advances during “somnabulism,” a form of sleepwalking. He says he had sex in his sleep with a woman who did not consent due to this condition. He says he has no recollection of it.
The techno scene has reacted with great dismay to the accusations. Dozens of DJs, producers, festival organizers, and record labels have publicly distanced themselves from their discredited colleagues.
Steer Management, the French artist agency that represented three of the discredited DJs, has suspended its collaboration with them. “When allegations pile up and involve artists within our ranks, doing nothing is not an option,” Steer Management said to AD.
A collective of women in the industry launched the #meetoodjs initiative, where those affected can report their experiences. DJ Hannah Laing said that the women in the industry stand with everyone who may have been harmed. She is working with other women to address the industry leaders.
Many festivals, including Verknipt and Awakenings in the Netherlands, have canceled performances by the discredited DJs. "The safety of our attendees is paramount," a spokesperson for Verknipt told AD.
Dutch DJ Oguz called this a necessary wake-up call. He is horrified by the effects of wealth and fame on young people, he told AD. “I’ve been doing this for ten years now, but this is what happens when you reach the top at a young age, in your early twenties,” he said. “Everything is being cleaned up now.”
The whistleblower who revealed the abuses is now paying a high price. He reports receiving death threats, pressure from lawyers, and doxxing.
